Journeys is an inclusive community that believes each of us has spiritual wisdom to share based on our own life’s journey. The spiritual leadership of each Journeys group rotates weekly. Our gatherings are often led by members who have worked closely with the Creative Team in planning and executing a theme for their reflection. We also invite outside speakers from time to time and engage in leaderless meditations.
The practical and spiritual leadership of Journeys Community is comprised of a Creative Team, which is responsible for planning themes for each week’s gathering. Our business leadership is overseen by a Board of Directors that is comprised of members of the community as well as others who have an interest in Journeys. We also rely on many volunteers who assist with community outreach and planning for our events.
Our Creative Team:
Valerie Bornemann - Valerie lives with her youngest son, Adam, in Howard County, Maryland. She is a practicing veterinarian and owner of the Western Howard Pet Wellness Center. Although baptized in the Episcopal Church, Valerie caught Harry Brunett’s vision for a seeker ministry and followed him to Journeys Community where she has been on the planning committee for the past six years. She is an avid reader and gardener and enjoys traveling and classical music.
Harry Brunett - Harry was ordained an Episcopal Priest in 1962. Following four years of parish ministry, he was involved in a variety of positions in community organization, economic development, and retirement housing management. During those years away from the church, Harry began seeking innovative ways in which people could experience God and personal spirituality through the ordinary events of their lives and through God’s continuing revelation in contemporary life and culture. In 1996 Harry began to formulate his concept of Journeys Community when he wrote his doctoral thesis on A Seeker Ministry for the 21st Century as part of a Doctor of Ministry degree from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. He can be reached at harry@journeyscommunity.org
Michele Cosentini - Michele is a married mother of two and a professional singer. Despite growing up in an agnostic household, she was always curious about religion and spirituality. With each major turning point in her life, her desire to realize her own spirituality, and to connect spiritually with others, continued to grow. Unable to find a sense of connection through traditional means, she ultimately found Journeys Community. Through the gift of music, she hopes to enrich each service and help connect all those present with the message and with each other.
Sally Farrell - Sally has been a practicing physical therapist for 37 years. She was raised Catholic in a mixed household: her father was Catholic and her mom Protestant, though her mom’s idea of church was being in Nature. At age eight, when Catholic nuns told Sally that only her dad would go to Heaven, Sally decided that she would make her own decisions about what to believe. Over the years she has been searching for a more true spiritual connection which is what she finds at Journeys. She is in the process of finishing a Masters in Applied Healing Arts at Tai Sophia in Laurel, MD. She loves contributing to the creative process as part of Journeys creative team.
Dave Leoni - Dave has been in pop bands since age 12. In the Summer of 1976, he completed his bachelor’s degree in Music Performance for Classical Guitar at Towson State University and has been the proprietor of the Dundalk Music Center ever since.He has worked shows with Little Anthony & the Imperials, The Drifters, The Fleetwoods and others, and has played steadily for GAZZE (a nine-piece variety band) since February, 1996. As a member of Journeys since September, 2001 Dave believes the sharing community is also a compassionate community. He says, “I feel like Journeys has helped me to quiet myself, if that is even possible. I have become more in tune with living in the moment. I may not live in the moment all the time, but I am at least aware of the difference.”
Bonnie McManaman - Bonnie is a full-time musician. She is actively engaged in both teaching and performing and considers herself so fortunate to be able to make a living with her passion. Bonnie finds it such an honor to communicate spiritually at Journeys through music. She is continually touched by the strength of every participant within the Journeys community. The inspirational and deeply personal messages that are shared strike a rich and resonant chord from within. Journeys has offered Bonnie the knowledge that we can all positively influence one another at any moment if we simply stop to listen to one another’s song.
John Ryan - John found his way to Journeys Community by accepting the position of Technical Director. Here he gets to use his creativity and knowledge of technology to help craft Journeys services to be as uplifting as they can be. This position also filled the void he felt to be a part of a community where he could be himself and follow a path of spirituality on his own terms (and not what others think it should be.) John also manages the website and weekly newsletters for Columbia. If you would like to add something to the newsletter or request information, please contact him at john@journeyscommunity.org
Our Board of Directors:
- Valerie Bornemann
- Harry & Joan Brunett
- Michele Cosentini
- Jerry & Janis Cripe
- Jen Grow
- John Ryan
- Joanne Susca
- Evelyn Templeman
- Hugh Tousey
